Managed Payroll Lead

About the Opportunity

A growing HR technology and workforce solutions consulting firm is seeking an experienced Managed Payroll Lead to support and oversee payroll operations across a portfolio of clients. This organization partners with companies to deliver modern HCM, payroll, and workforce management solutions, with a strong emphasis on service quality, operational excellence, and long-term client partnerships.

This is a client-facing leadership role ideal for a seasoned payroll professional who enjoys combining hands-on payroll expertise with strategic advisory responsibilities in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Position Overview

The Managed Payroll Lead will oversee full-cycle payroll processing for multi-state client environments, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution across varying payroll schedules. The role will act as a trusted payroll advisor to clients while also mentoring internal payroll consultants and contributing to process improvements, service delivery standards, and operational scalability.

This position also partners cross-functionally with implementation, operations, sales, and client success teams to support new client transitions, ongoing managed services, and payroll best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for multiple client organizations across weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payroll cycles.
• Perform payroll audits, data validation, gross-to-net reviews, and pre-processing checks to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Partner with HR and Finance stakeholders to support onboarding, offboarding, compensation updates, payroll adjustments, and employee lifecycle events.
• Serve as a primary escalation point and trusted advisor for client payroll inquiries and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax and wage regulations.
• Prepare payroll reporting, reconciliations, and general ledger support documentation as required.
• Support year-end payroll activities including W-2s, 1099s, tax reconciliations, and audit preparation.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, delivery consistency, scalability, and overall client experience.
• Collaborate with internal teams during new client implementations, transitions, and ongoing managed services engagements.
• Mentor and support junior payroll consultants by sharing best practices and providing operational guidance.
• Stay informed on payroll legislation, compliance updates, and HCM/payroll technology trends.
• Participate as a payroll subject matter expert in selected client discussions, solution reviews, and internal business initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience, including multi-state payroll environments.
• Prior payroll leadership or team lead experience required.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification strongly preferred or required.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour compliance, and payroll best practices.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills in client-facing environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and payroll calendars in a service-driven environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within a managed payroll services, outsourcing, or payroll consulting environment.
• Exposure to enterprise HCM/payroll platforms such as UKG, ADP, Paylocity, Paycom, Workday, Dayforce/Ceridian, or similar systems.
• Experience supporting hourly and salaried employee populations.
• Familiarity with payroll-related integrations including HRIS, benefits, timekeeping, and general ledger systems.
• Knowledge of ACA reporting and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting multi-entity or multi-jurisdiction payroll operations.
• Union payroll and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) experience is advantageous.

Why Apply?

• Join a growing and collaborative HR technology consulting environment.
• Work with a diverse portfolio of clients and modern HCM/payroll technologies.
• Opportunity to influence payroll operations, process improvement, and service delivery standards.
• Strong potential for professional growth within a high-performing team culture.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.